J-5100, Spousal Steps at Application

Revision 09-4; Effective December 1, 2009

Steps in determining countable resources for a spousal application:

Step Procedure
1 Determine the couple's countable resources at 12:01 a.m. on the first day of the month of application (and three months prior).
2 Determine if an assessment of the SPRA was previously completed.

If so, continue.

Determine if the SPRA will be automatic, institutional or waiver.

Institutional — Determine the SPRA based on the countable resources as of 12:01 a.m. of the first day of the month of medical facility entry. The medical facility entry can start at the date of hospital admission if the person transfers directly from the hospital to the nursing facility without returning to a community setting.

Waiver — Determine the waiver SPRA based on the countable resources as of 12:01 a.m. of the first day of the month of receipt of the application.
3 Determine the SPRA, which is the greater of:
  • the spousal share or one-half of the couple's combined countable resources (not to exceed the maximum as set by federal law);

    or
  • the minimum spousal resource standard as set by federal law.
4 Subtract the SPRA from the combined countable resources.
5 Compare the remainder to the appropriate resource limit for an individual.